In a rapidly shifting economic environment, hotel developers and lenders are adapting their strategies to secure successful outcomes for hotel projects. We sat down with Jared Schlosser, EVP of Hotel Lending and Head of CPACE at Peachtree Group to discuss how rising interest rates and inflationary pressures are influencing lending criteria and financial planning.
Q: Given the rising interest rates and inflationary pressures, how are lenders adjusting their underwriting criteria for hotels?
Jared Schlosser: Right now, it's all about cash flow. It’s hard to underwrite any sort of pro forma growth unless there’s a real story behind it. Lenders are focused on the cash flow, and if you can achieve a 13% debt yield or higher, you qualify for generally permanent debt, CMBS, life company, or even bank takeouts. If you don’t meet that threshold, then you typically fall into the private credit space, which is where Peachtree Group comes in.
Q: What are the current trends in loan terms, such as loan-to-value (LTV) ratios or interest rates?
JS: It’s been quite varied, depending on what each lender's risk threshold is. The biggest trend I’m seeing is uncertainty around how long rates will stay elevated. Because of that, borrowers are seeking flexibility. They’re willing to pay a premium for loans with shorter yield maintenance or reduced prepayment penalties. Many are hesitant to lock into long-term fixed-rate debt like they used to.
We provide both fixed-rate and floating-rate loans, but even with fixed-rate products, borrowers are trying to secure as much flexibility as possible. We’re still getting to 70% loan-to-cost (LTC) or LTV, sometimes pushing up to 75% or scaling back, depending on our underwriting. In contrast, the banking market is closer to 50-55% on average, which highlights the difference between our space and traditional banks.
Q: How should developers adapt their financial strategies in this market?
JS: I always say in a volatile market, get ahead of it. Be proactive—get ahead of your maturity dates and start conversations early, whether it’s with us or other competitors in the space. Early engagement is key right now because the future is so uncertain.
With upcoming elections, the volatility surrounding Federal Reserve policy, and questions about whether rates will be cut or stay elevated longer than expected, liquidity is fluctuating. The sooner borrowers are out in the market looking for refinances or construction financing, and the more well-prepared their packages are, the better their chances of securing favorable terms.
Peachtree Group is a direct balance sheet lender focused on funding first mortgage bridge loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments, and commercial property assessed clean energy (CPACE) financing, lending to all commercial real estate asset classes with a specialty in hotel financing. The Peachtree Group team has executed more than 297 transactions, originating more than $4.5 billion for projects seeking capital to complete acquisitions, recapitalizations, refinancing and renovations.
Commercial Observer | Peachtree Group originated the three-year loan with two 12-month extension options for the developer's 123-key Aloft Cupertino, California. Loan will fund an reno of the 2013-built property situated two blocks from Apple's Infinite Loop Campus.
Atlanta Business Chronicle | Atlanta Based Peachtree Group provided at $42MM loan to finance Banyan Street Capital’s acquisition of Atlanta Financial Center, the high profile office complex in the heart of Buckhead. The lender announced that it originated a floating rate first mortgage loan with a three-year initial term and 1 year extension option.
Press Release
ATLANTA (July 23, 2025) -Peachtree Group ("Peachtree) originated a $42 million first mortgage loan to finance Banyan Street Capital's ("Banyan") acquisition and repositioning of the Atlanta Financial Center ("AFC"), a914,774-square-foot Class A office campus in Buckhead, Atlanta.
“This transaction highlights how private credit continues to fuel opportunities across the commercial real estate landscape,” said Daniel Siegel, president and principal CRE of Peachtree. “In today’s volatile environment of elevated interest rates and persistent inflation, private credit remains a critical source of capital.”
Much like during the height of the debt crisis, when private credit lenders stepped in to maintain liquidity and helped stave off a broader recession, today’s private credit market continues to step up to fill the void left by traditional lenders and provide certainty for sponsors pursuing thoughtful business strategies.
“We believe the office sector is at an inflection point, much like retail when we were financing mall acquisitions. Negative sentiment is masking real opportunities. The market is bifurcated, with most vacancy tied to a number of troubled assets, and when you adjust for those, the fundamentals tell a different story. While sentiment will take time to shift, we’re ready to back smart business plans in this space,” Siegel said.
Initially acquired in 2016 by a Sumitomo Corporation affiliate for $222.5 million, AFC faced tenant departures, softening fundamentals and shifting capital priorities. The property is situated atopGA-400, offering daily visibility to approximately 420,000 commuters, and comprises three interconnected towers spanning 13.05 acres, with structured parking for 2,335 vehicles.
Banyan plans to reposition AFC, starting with the lease-up of the North Tower, supported by capital expenditure reserves and funds for tenant improvements and leasing. The sponsor will also explore larger tenant opportunities and future redevelopment options.
“This transaction reflects a careful approach to how we de-risk, by structuring a basis reset in a top submarket with an experienced sponsor and a clear repositioning plan," Siegel said.
While the broader office market faces headwinds, Buckhead remains one of Atlanta's strongest submarkets, supported by its base of financial firms, direct MARTA access, and highway connectivity, as well as high-end retail and hospitality amenities. Limited new supply, declining sublease inventory and stable tenant demand position Buckhead and AFC for recovery and growth.
The floating-rate loan carries a 36-month initial term with a 12-month extension option and is backed by completion, interest and carry guarantees from Banyan.
This transaction highlights Peachtree's ability to deliver flexible capital solutions for transitional assets in premier locations at a meaningful basis reset. Comparable transactions in the market reflect a 98percent premium to Peachtree's loan basis, underscoring the strength of the collateral and business plan.
"Borrowers are seeking flexible capital solutions that can adapt to shifting market conditions, and that's exactly what we're delivering," said Jared Schlosser, head of originations and CPACE at Peachtree. "By offering certainty of execution, we're giving sponsors the runway they need to execute thoughtful business plans."
About Peachtree Group
Peachtree Group is a vertically integrated investment management firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, anchored by commercial real estate. Today, the company manages billions in capital across acquisitions, development and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow its investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.
Contact:
Charles Talbert
678-823-7683ctalbert@peachtreegroup.com
Commercial Observer | Shopoff Realty Investments has sealed a $52 million loan to refinance a newly built industrial project in suburban Phoenix, Commercial Observer has learned.
Peachtree Group originated the bridge loan for Shoproff’s planned 270-acre The Block at Elliot development at the intersection of East Elliot Road and South Sossaman Road in Mesa, Ariz.
